Mozambique: Zimpeto stadium may now host daytime international matches with 15,000 spectators only

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Mozambique: Zimpeto stadium may now host daytime international matches with 15,000 spectators only

1:41 CAT | 05 Aug 2025

Image: O País

The Confederation of African Football has partially approved the Zimpeto National Stadium to host international matches. The announcement was made this Monday by the Sports Promotion Fund, which explained that, according to CAF, the venue can only host daytime matches with a maximum of 15,000 spectators. CAF also approved the Lalgy Arena, the Black Bulls’ home ground, for the African Cup qualifiers.

The Confederation of African Football has partially reversed the ban on the Zimpeto National Stadium almost six months after rejecting the venue for not meeting the conditions to host international matches. The work is done, peace has been re-established with CAF, and the stadium is approved.

“We received the official statement informing that the conditions are met to reverse the ban decision, allowing the Zimpeto National Stadium to host CAF international matches, with some restrictions,” Sílvia Langa, director of the Sports Promotion Fund, said.

Of the two restrictions imposed by the CAF in this partial approval of the ENZ, “the first is that matches can only be held during the day, and the second is that we are not yet able to host matches at our maximum capacity, which is 42,000 spectators,” Langa clarified, confirming that the CAF recommends that matches be held with only 15,000 spectators.

The stadium was partially approved, so there is still much work to be done, according to the director of the Sports Promotion Fund.

“At this time, we can announce that construction work is still underway on the outer perimeter wall, which will also improve security, access, and maintenance. The stadium suffered greatly due to the level of access to public restrooms and other areas that were vandalized in wing C. Currently, with our partners, we are instigating specific actions aimed at reducing, and to some extent, eliminating, this level of vulnerability,” Langa confirmed.

The Sports Promotion Fund, which manages the infrastructure, will also improve the stadium’s lighting to accommodate night games.

“We’re assuming that the refusal to host matches or the recommendation not to hold matches after dark is precisely due to the lighting. However, all the requirements regarding the purchase of floodlights for the two towers were met. These are new floodlights. The panels, not only on the two towers, but also on the stand panel, were repaired, and new panels were installed,” Langa emphasized, remaining calm, especially since it is known that CAF has its own measuring instruments.

The approval of the Zimpeto National Stadium ensures that the Mambas will play at home against Botswana next month in a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Lalgy Arena also approved

Furthermore, the Confederation of African Football approved the Lalgy Arena, the Black Bulls Association’s home ground, to host matches in the group stage qualifiers for African club competitions.

The club’s approval was a source of satisfaction, as they consider this achievement “another step in our commitment to elevating national football and providing our athletes and fans with a stage worthy of major continental competitions”.

According to the club’s statement, “We are ready to make history, at home, with the support of all of you! We count on your unconditional support to transform the Lalgy Arena into a true bastion of Mozambican football”.

The Black Bulls, the national champions, will compete in the qualifying rounds for the group stage of the African Champions League and will host their home matches. The same could happen with Ferroviário de Maputo, winners of the Mozambique Cup, who will compete in the CAF Cup qualifiers.

The two Mozambican representatives in the African Cups will learn the identity of their opponents on August 12.

Source: O País